Update On Child Bridge Tragedy: Girl Dies, Father Charged With Murder
Posted by Amber Robinson at 2:36 PM on January 29, 2009
The 4-year old girl thrown off Melbourne’s West Gate bridge this morning has died in hospital. A Royal Children’s Hospital spokeswoman said the girl passed away at 1.35pm after sustaining horrific internal injuries. Tragically, it has been revealed that the man arrested for the crime was the child’s father.
The 35-year-old man was arrested at the Family Court in the CBD about 10.30am, after acting suspiciously and begging security guards to “take my kids”. The other children, both boys, are aged 6 and 8. They may have been in the vehicle with their father when the incident occurred. Employees at the court building report that man was crying and looked like “he’d had enough”. One of the witnesses said the man was shaking uncontrollably and looked like he was “about to have a nervous breakdown”.
It appears the father was involved in a custody dispute at the court a day earlier. It is unfathomable to think that stress could push a parent this far. While mothers who harm their children are often given some sympathy due to psychological problems, society is less forgiving of fathers. Yesterday’s murder-suicide by a Los Angeles man after being retrenched shows that many men are not coping.
We urge any parent feeling distressed to reach out for support by calling SANE Helpline 1800 18 7263; Lifeline 131 114; Salvo Crisis Line – 9331 2000; beyondblue 1300 22 46 36.
Our hearts go out to the girl’s mother and siblings.
Update: Her father has now formally been charged with her murder.
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